Vinski Virtanen
The Russian line of the International Ice Hockey Association will take a tough test if Ukraine rises to the World Cup and the situation on the front will change significantly, writes Vinski Virtanen.
Ukraine is close to the rise to the World Cup Main Series. Aop
On Saturday, the Ukraine men’s hockey team will secure a rise to the World Cup for 2026. It would be unexpected as Ukraine last played in the main series 18 years ago.
Japan is facing, and one point for the Ukrainians is enough. It is more likely that Ukraine will rise than that it would not rise.
If this happens, IIHF is in a tight spot. International hockey union reported In February, Russia, who started the war in Ukraine, and Belarus, who participates in it, will not be allowed to play in the 2026 World Championships.
The general policy of IIHF is that these countries do not play national team games as long as war continues. However, this will be reviewed if the situation on the front changes.
The international union frozen the rankings of Russia and Belarus to match the reel success of the pre-war period as it excluded the land. The Russian ghost is second on the IIHF world list and Belarus is haunted by 16th place.
Thus, with their rankings, these countries will be able to return to the World Cup end when IIHF again accepts them.
If there were peace in Ukraine before the 2026 World Cup, IIHF would be in a tough test. Will the closure decision be effective or not?
If Iihf were to reach the main level of the Russian and Belarusian World Championships in 2026, it would be an embarrassing consequence: Ukraine would not play in the race, as the World Cup will be played with 16 teams. Ukraine, ranked 27 in IIHF rankings, would be one of the countries that would have to evade Russians.
IIHF should not revolve around February, or else the union’s decision to distribute ranking points to Russia even during the war would seem embarrassing.
It would not be right if Ukraine, who deserved his rise, should avoid Russia returning to the rink.
Maybe this is not the case, but IIHF must now be awake.